4.30.190 Employee teleworking.
A. Compensation and Work Hours. The employee’s compensation, benefits, work status and work responsibilities will not change due to participation in the teleworking program. The amount of time the employee is expected to work per day or pay period will not change as a result of participation in the teleworking program.
1. The employee’s alternate worksite work hours will conform to a schedule agreed upon by the department supervisor and employee. If such a schedule has not been agreed upon, the employee’s work hours will be the same as before the employee began teleworking.
2. Telework participants are required to report all work hours. Overtime must be approved in advance. Participants are required to complete a timesheet no less than biweekly to all hours worked.
B. Eligibility. Employees will be selected based on the suitability of their jobs, an evaluation of the likelihood of their being successful teleworkers, an evaluation of their ability to complete the essential duties of their position remotely, and an evaluation of their supervisor’s ability to manage remote workers. Each department director will make its own selections. Discontinuation of a telework arrangement is not, in and of itself, an adverse action and telework arrangements may be terminated at the department director’s discretion.
C. Equipment/Tools. The city may provide specific tools/equipment for the employee to perform his/her current duties. This may include computer hardware, computer software, phone lines, email, voicemail, connectivity to host applications, and other applicable equipment as deemed necessary.
1. The use of equipment, software, data supplies and furniture, when provided by the city, for use at the remote work location is limited to authorized persons and for purposes relating to city business. The city will provide for repairs to city equipment. When the employee uses his/her own equipment, the employee is responsible for maintenance and repair of equipment. All city-provided equipment must be returned upon request and/or termination of employee’s employment.
D. Workspace. The employee shall designate a workspace within the remote work location for placement and installation of equipment to be used while teleworking. The employee shall maintain this workspace in a safe condition, free from hazards and other dangers to the employee and equipment. The city must approve the site chosen as the employee’s remote workspace.
1. Any work materials/supplies/equipment taken home should be kept in the designated work area at home and not be made accessible to others.
E. Office Supplies. Office supplies will be provided by the city as needed. Out-of-pocket expenses for other supplies will not be reimbursed unless by prior approval of the employee’s department director.
F. Liability. The city assumes no liability for injuries occurring in the employee’s alternate workspace. The city is not liable for loss, destruction, or injury that may occur in or to the employee’s alternate workspace. This includes the employee, family members, visitors, or others that may become injured within or around the employee’s home.
G. Dependent Care. Unless specifically approved, teleworking is not a substitute for dependent care.
H. Communication. Employees must be available by phone and email during work hours. All in-person work interactions will be conducted in a public meeting space suitable for such meetings or a client or city site. Participants must be available for staff meetings and other meetings deemed necessary by management during work hours.
I. Compliance and Termination. The telework agreement will commence on a date agreed upon by the department supervisor and employee and will be re-evaluated annually as a part of the employee’s performance appraisal, if the employee has a substantial change in duties, changes his/her position, or if there is a change in department directors. The department director may rescind this telework agreement at any time for any reason, at their discretion. Employee shall comply with all federal and state employment laws and all applicable Palmer Municipal codes. (Ord. 20-011 § 3, 2020)